By Ryan Segal
Tom Sykes says his first week as a tour card holder has been ‘mad’, following his qualification onto the Pro Tour.
The 33 year old gained professional status for the first time in his career at 2026 Q-School, sealing an automatic tour card on Day 3.
The Castleford Tiger has long been touted as one of the best players without a card – and the outpouring of support since has backed that up:
“Yeah - it’s been mad.
My phone’s been going mental for the last week.
There’s been a big influx of ‘well done’ messages, ‘congratulations’ messages and phone calls, so it’s been good.”
It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions for Castleford’s favourite son, from the nerves in the decider to the relief of securing that crucial win – as he recounted:
“Quite a lot of feelings have been going through my head, to be fair.
My first feeling was ‘Don’t mess it up’, because when I went 4-0 up, he got it back to 4-3.
As soon as the first double went in to make it 4-1, my legs went!
But I managed to keep it together and get over the line.
It was like ‘I’ve finally achieved it’.
After missing out last year, and coming so close, it was good to finally get the job done and earn two years on tour.”
As for whether he’s basing his first season more on performance or achievement:
“A bit of both really.
I want to get out there and show what I can do, but I have got a couple of targets in mind.
I want to qualify for a few Euro Tours – and get to see a few bits of the world whilst I’m at it.
For me that’s the main goal this year, to make a few Euro Tours, and to get a bit of experience under my belt.
Plus, a couple of TV tournaments if I can get in there.
And I can do that whilst taking it as a free hit, and see what happens.”
You can get the darts that the Castleford Tiger will be using on his Pro Tour journey via our website.